Travel information method and associated system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing travel information to a consumer are disclosed. The method includes acquiring information from at least one information source, which may be a variety of sources such as external or consumer-driven sources; characterizing the acquired information by its pertinence to travel; transforming the characterized travel information into a useable format; applying rules to this transformed travel information in connection with the consumer-specific travel profile; and, delivering a report to the consumer of the results of this application. The associated system performs these functions, among others, to provide information for a traveler planning a trip to a particular destination or destinations.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/619,245, filed Jul. 19, 2000, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method and system forcreating personalized travel information products for business andconsumer use. The present invention more particularly relates to amethod and system for preventing and solving travel problems.

2. Background Information

Millions of travelers are afflicted with problems each year, problemsinvolving their health and safety, the timeliness and quality of theirtrip, and their familiarity with their destination. These problems costtime, money, and even lives. Whenever a travel problem occurs, however,typically the information necessary to avoid it, or solve it, isavailable somewhere, if only the traveler had known about it. Thus,there is a pressing need to develop a system which continually monitorsthe world for pertinent travel-related information, on the one hand, andon the other hand, delivers relevant information to travelers when,where, and how they need to use this information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and system of the present invention have met theabove-described needs by providing a method and system for the automateddelivery of travel information when, where, and how travelers need it.

The invention provides a method for providing travel-related informationto a consumer having a consumer-specific profile. This method includesacquiring information from at least one information source; transformingthe acquired information into information pertinent to travel relatedactivities; using rules for applying the transformed travel informationto the consumer-specific travel profile; and, creating a product forsaid consumer indicative of the results of the application of thetransformed travel information to the consumer-specific travel profile.A system implementation of this method is also provided in anotheraspect of the invention. It can be appreciated that the invention canalso be embodied in a computer-readable medium.

In a further aspect of the invention, an information system segment isprovided that is structured for use in a system for providing travelrelated information to a consumer with a consumer-specific profile. Thisinformation system segment includes a collection subsystem for obtaininginformation from at least one data source; an analysis subsystem forfiltering the obtained information to identify its travel relatedcharacteristics; and, a distribution/storage subsystem for directing thefiltered data to at least one portion of the system for providing travelrelated information.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide, in oneaspect, a system based on five elements: a global operations center,which continuously collects, analyzes, and processes informationpertaining to travel from at least one information source; a data storefor holding the information; a profiling system, for capturing andmaintaining traveler profiles; a rules engine for applying rulespertaining to travel based on the traveler's profile; and a plurality ofonline products that incorporate and deliver the relevant travelinformation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in another aspect, acontinuous creation of information in an intelligence operations center,and its storage in the data store, to provide travel related informationon a plurality of global destinations.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in another aspect, aprofiling system that captures a traveler's profile, triggers theapplication of relevant rules (e.g. if the traveler has a respiratoryproblem, and the altitude of the destination is sufficiently high, thena warning notice will be retrieved), and retrieves pertinent informationfrom the data store.

It is a further object of the invention, in another aspect, to packagetravel information in an electronic product and deliver that product inan on-line environment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in another aspect,connectivity with an external, global airline reservation system, suchthat the invention is associated with the act of buying an airlineticket, for example, as well as for boats, trains, and other similarconsumer transportation.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description of the invention and byreference to the figures and claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdetailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a logical and functional architecture diagram showing anembodiment of the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a combined system/flow diagram of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a conceptual flow diagram of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;and,

FIG. 24 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Travel Information Logical and Functional Architectures

In the method and system of the present invention, a logicalarchitecture and its corresponding functional architecture are providedthat can operate on an Internet-based information exchange medium oranother similarly structured and suitable medium. This architecturepermits a breadth of information sources from which information relatedto travel, in particular, can be gathered, transformed and provided to aconsumer in the form of a product and/or service.

As used herein, the term “travel-related information” includes anyinformation which is related to a particular mode of travel or traveldestination. As used herein, a “consumer” can be an individual, aplurality of individuals, a company, and/or any other entity that usestravel-related information. As used herein, a “consumer-specificprofile” can include any information that relates to a consumer's travelpreferences, such as, but not limited to, any one or more of thefollowing: destination, mode of travel, health condition of traveler,travel risks associated with a particular destination, and the like. An“information source” as used herein can be any electronic, written,verbal or other source from which data can be derived. A “product” asused herein can refer to a product and/or a service.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in the form of the invention shown, the methodand system of the present invention can be represented as fivearchitectural layers that represent data processing from informationacquisition to product/service delivery. In the information acquisitionlayer 2, information regarding travel can be acquired from informationsources 4 such as other Internet sites. In performing the function ofinformation acquisition, these information sources 4 may or may not bepartnered with the home Internet site from which travel analysis isdelivered to the individual consumer.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in the information transformation layer 6,data retrieved from information sources in layer 2 are processed throughat least two logical steps in the method and system architecture: one isan oversight and advisement step 8 and another is the research andanalysis step 10. A functional architecture of the inventioncorresponding to the information transformation 6 logical architecturecan be provided that can be designated as an information validation andrecommendations 12 function. The oversight and advisement step 8 caninclude, for example, processing acquired data through a healthinformation board, performing an advisement function, and developingbusiness rules 14 for treatment of current and future travel datarelated to health and medicine. The research and analysis step 10 of theinformation transformation layer 6 can include, for example, applyingmedical information and epidemiology findings from clinic networks 16that are researching the status of communicable diseases at a giventravel destination. In the information transformation layer 6, dataacquired is validated and recommendations for further processing of thatacquired data through the travel method and system of the invention aredeveloped.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in the information development/applicationstep 18, business rules, some of which can be substantially continuouslyand dynamically generated in the oversight and advisement step 8 of themethod and system, are applied to the travel data. In this step 18,factors such as health, security and safety business rules 20 aredetermined and applied relative to the acquired and transformed traveldata. In the product/service creation step 22 of the method and systemof the present invention, a report is generated 24 for use by a consumerto evaluate a decision regarding travel to a particular country orregion of the world. Also, in this step 22, activities such as alertcharacterization and distribution list development 24 (discussed in moredetail hereinafter) are produced and provided as products/services forthe consumer.

Referring again to FIG. 1, product/service delivery 26 occurs withregard to providing the travel information to a consumer. In this step26, the consumer receives desired information regarding travel to andfrom a particular location of the world. The product/service deliverystep 26 can be performed through a variety of suitable delivery channels28, including without limitation, the Internet, wireless communicationmedia and apparatus, business intranets, kiosks or other virtual and/orphysical locations from which it is desirable for a consumer to requestand obtain travel information.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in summary, the functional architecture ofthe invention is a layered architecture, with five distinct functionallayers corresponding to the logical architecture layers. The informationacquisition layer 2 includes a unique collection of travel informationsources and a robust set of mechanisms for acquiring varied informationsources. The information transformation layer 6 includes extract,transform, and load sub-processes, and a unique, external application ofexpert research and analysis. The information development/applicationlayer 18 includes interactions with subsystems such as alert and eventmonitoring; extract, transform, and load sub-processes; and externaloversight, advisement, and travel business rules development such as byindustry experts. The product/service creation/delivery layers 22,26include content management and global travel information, includingworkflow, version control, personalization, and content integration;creation of unique, personalized products based on a combination ofpersonalized travel profile information of the global travelinformation; and a rich and diverse set of delivery channels.

It can be understood by one skilled in the art that the foregoinglogical steps can be applied, for purposes of implementing the methodand system of the present invention, to a plurality of functionalmodules. It can be further understood that the specific functionalarchitecture aspects of the invention described herein are intended tobe illustrative, and not limiting, as to the scope of the invention.

Travel Information Technology Implementation Architecture

In summary, referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the technologyimplementation architecture of the invention is a descriptive set of aplurality of technology subsystems or segments, each of which can beconsidered as part of one of several functional systems: collection 32,back office 34, content repository 36, products 38, internet site 40,and distribution 42. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the relationships betweenand among these different technology segments.

Content Identification Segment (CIS)

Referring now to FIG. 4, a content identification segment (CIS) (51)relates to the initial and ongoing identification of information sourcessuch as internet sites that enhance the products and services providedby the invention. The CIS (51) also enables the determination of sitesin use that should, based on subjective or objective criteria, no longerbe relied upon for accurate, timely, or value-added content.

Content in the invention can be identified by manual methods performedby subject matter experts (SME's) 52 or individuals with domainexpertise using public search engines, for example. In another aspect ofthe invention, once a base set of content sources has been established,an automated robot process 54 can be employed to identify potentialsites on a regular basis. To improve their performance, such robotprocesses can be monitored and reviewed by the SME's 52 on a regularbasis with periodic validation of the criteria driving these robots. Ingeneral, the robot process begins by returning identified site lists.Refinements can then be added by applying SME-developed context to textreturned by these robot processes.

With this SME-developed context, a high-level classification of thesites returned can be developed. The granularity of robot 54 returns befairly coarse initially, and more finely grained as identificationtechniques are honed. Likewise, the levels of classification of robot 54returns can be limited, with additional levels added as identificationtechniques are honed. Multiple levels of robot activity can therefore beimplemented in accordance with the invention.

A blanket robot can exist, for example, that combs the web simply forthe word “travel,” then discards duplicate hits or hits outside of<Title> or <meta> tags. Ultimately, these robot processes may evolve toseveral robot processes that can look for specific occurrences of theword “travel” in conjunction with other words (e.g., “health”) in veryspecific structural elements of the document (e.g., only if both wordsoccur in both the <title> tag and in<meta name=keywords> tag). It can beappreciated that the robot technology can also be effective for non-HTMLsources, provide mechanisms for natural language queries, and can beable to route hit returns substantially automatically to specific SME's52.

Content Acquisition/Aggregation Segment (CAAS)

Referring now to FIG. 5, in the invention a CAAS (71) defines theprocesses by which identified content (see CIS (51) discussion above) isacquired and classified as belonging to a specific domain, then storedin a format by which the content management system (see CMS (131)discussion hereinafter) can use.

The CAAS (71) includes developing agents 72 to retrieve identifiedcontent from an information source 74 and implementing a schedulingmechanism 76 to initiate these agents. In general, content acquisitionschedules 76 range from completely static (e.g., a single agentinitiation for the power requirements in France) to hourly (e.g., afive-day weather forecast for Paris). Notification agents 78 can also bedeveloped and scheduled for initiation at regular intervals. Thesenotification agents 78 can inform content acquisition personnel that aparticular content source has changed in content or structure.

If a relatively simple change in content is indicated, the acquisitionagent 72 can be manually initiated to bring in the latest content for agiven information source 74. Integration with the Administration Segment(ADMS) (181) (discussed hereinafter) is required for this process, as aninitial acquisition agent schedule 76 is sparse until the frequency atwhich site content changes is understood. If a notification agent 78returns information on a content structure change, for example, contentmanagement personnel can modify the corresponding acquisition agent 72so that the change content is correctly acquired. In addition, anenvironment can be created whereby SME's can create ad hoc acquisitionand notification agents for alert purposes. In another aspect of theinvention, the modification of acquisition agents 72 can be automatedand based on the return information of notification agents 78. It can beappreciated, however, that some manual oversight is desirable in thisprocess.

Content Repository Segment (CRS)

In the invention, the content repository segment (CRS) 91 stores,manages, and distributes substantially all acquired travel informationthat is considered persistent.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the content repository can be considereda “hub” for content and data. Although the content repository 91includes both relational and object XML data stores 92, it can beaccessed and managed through a central mechanism and driven by a singleengine 94. The content repository 91, as shown, can provide facilitiesto store, view, import, organize, modify, export, and querytravel-related information. It can include one or more physical datastores 92,96,98,100,102,104,106; the data engine 94; an integrated toolset for development; and, a centralized management facility 108.

It can be appreciated, in an alternative aspect of the invention, thatthe content repository 91 could support extended data types includinguser-defined types and extended data types of audio and video. Thecontent repository 91 can also include portions of the application ofbusiness logic in the data model.

In one embodiment of the invention, the content repository comprisesseveral technological components. A component environment is a dedicatedcontent object layer. An application server 93 is provided that storesand processes data access/storage components 95. Services are enabledwith Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) and open database connectivity(ODBC) drivers. An object request broker (ORB) is also employed (anobject request broker) to manage object-to-object messaging andinter-ORB communications. The XML object engine 94 stores/retrieves XMLobjects from data stores 92,102,104 and has functionality based onschemas stored in a data map store 102. An XML parser 110 is includedthat checks syntactical correctness of schemas in the data map store 102and ensures the formation integrity of incoming XML objects. An objectprocessor 112 is included as a component to physically store XML data inthe XML store 92. A query interpreter 114 resolves XML Query Language(XQL) requests and interacts with the object composer 116 to retrieveXML objects according to the schema stored in the data map store 102.The object composer 116 is provided to construct the informationobjects, based on storage and retrieval rules defined in the data mapstore 102, and return them as XML documents. There are also variousutilities in this embodiment, including those that support directory andtree-oriented loading of XML objects. An external storage integrationcomponent (ESIC) (118) permits applications to access data regardless ofdatabase type or location.

The data map (meta data) store 102 serves as the content repository's 91knowledge base. The data map store 102 contains the schemas that holdthe rules according to which XML objects are stored and composed, suchas: (1) storage and indexing of XML objects within the contentrepository, (2) mapping of data to different data structures to enablethe integration of existing data, and (3) executing user-definedapplication logic with a server extension function associated with anobject. An SQL engine 120 manages an internal SQL store 104; executesSQL statements; and, accepts SQL statements in a number of ways:internally, from the object engine 94; from applications, which can beeither embedded or through standard database interfaces such as ODBC(122), JDBC, or OLE-DB (124); and, from the content repository manager108. The CR manager 108 provides an administration tool implemented as agraphical user interface (GUI) that runs in standard web browser. Inaddition, server extensions permit user-defined functions to beincorporated into the content repository 91.

Content Management Segment (CMS)

Referring now to FIG. 8, in the form of the invention shown, a contentmanagement segment CMS (131) can be defined by the processes andtechnologies by which content is managed. Content managementtechnologies include content and design control, contributor/user accesscontrol, site control, asset control, publication, and workflow. Auniversal (i.e., generic) presentation format can be developed, alongwith XML document schema, and content binding to page layouts can beimplemented. Substantially all content, including text, graphics,styles, themes, and other assets, can be stored as objects in ahigh-performance relational database. For performance reasons, allcontent provided by the invention, as presented to a content consumer,comprises static pages in flat file systems. This content can bedynamically generated on an as-needed basis (e.g., one particular pageevery minute, one particular subset of pages every week, and the like).

After initial implementation, interaction with ADMS (181) and CRMSdetermines style and design modifications. In another aspect of theinvention, implementation of ancillary services such as advertisingmanagement and syndication mechanisms can be incorporated into theinvention. It can be appreciated that content can be translated andglobal sites can therefore be developed in English, Spanish, German,French, Japanese and other suitable languages to which the invention canbe adapted.

Travel Information Report Segment (TIRS)

Referring now to the figures, in another embodiment of the invention, atravel intelligence report (TIR) can be generated that includes tripinformation necessary to make informed decisions regarding pre-travelpreparation and enhancement and enjoyment of travel related activities.In one aspect of the invention, the TIR can be divided into four majorsections: Pre-Trip Information, Destination Information (for one or moredestinations), General Advice, and Products and Services. Within eachsection is a set of information categories, each of which containsseveral information requirements. Each of these requirements can becustomized to (1) the traveler, based on his/her personal profile, (2)destination, and (3) related issues such as season of travel.

The Pre-Trip section travel categories include Alerts, Entry/ExitRequirements, and Pre-Trip Health considerations. Alerts may include,but are not limited to, Safety/Security, Weather, and Transportation.Entry/Exit Requirements can include all legal, health, and custom issuesthat are important for entering and leaving a particular destination.The Pre-Trip Health section can also include required and recommendedimmunizations, health risk considerations, and the like.

Typical travel categories and information requirements in theDestination section includes, but is not limited to:

-   -   1. Safety/Security: Social Stability, Crime, Airline, Game Parks    -   2. Weather/Environment: Climate & Terrain, Natural Risks,        Environment, Weather Chart & Forecast    -   3. Transportation: Air Travel, Water Transportation,        Road/Overland Travel, Taxi, Mass Transit, Train Travel, Rental        Cars    -   4. Money: Cash & Credit, Taxes, Cost of Living    -   5. Telecommunications: Phone/Electric, Internet, Contact        Information, Mail, Radio    -   Social Customs: Behavior, Religion, Women's Issues, Business        Hours, Public Holidays & Events    -   7. Legal: Prohibited Items, Penalties    -   8. Language: Official Language    -   9. Health: immunizations, nearest hospital, health insurance,        health risks

One feature of the TIR is that it can be a hyperlinked report. Consumershave the ability to expand or contract particular informationrequirements to see detail or concise descriptions for a given TIR,information which has come directly from the global operations center.The TIR can be printed directly from a browser, or saved in a variety ofelectronic formats, but it is also “alive” in the sense that a travelercan return to it online at anytime up to thirty days after theconclusion of his trip and access the latest information based on hisprofile. In fact, if an alert level event occurs during the life of thereport it will trigger the transmission of an e-mail (or other pushtechnology) warning from the report to the traveler. In this way thereport, and the operations center behind it, become the traveler's ownpersonal intelligence agency.

The TIR can also include a rating (such as from 1 to 5 in tenthincrements, for example), which is a weighted-average of the total riskof the trip represented by the TIR as determined by criteria applied tothe travel data in the TIR. This rating can be illustrated, for example,by a series of “jet” graphics printed on the TIR.

Member Personalization Segment (MPS)

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a member personalization segment (MPS)(151) defines the functions and processes by which the products andservices of the invention are personalized to a specific consumer. Inaddition to personalization of product/service offerings, the MPS (151)provides a mechanism to apply targeted marketing to the travelcommunity.

The MPS (151) includes, for example, the following information: static,stored personal information; name recognition 152; and, user-providedinformation 154. In one aspect of the invention, a personalizationbusiness rules engine 156 interacts with this information, along withinput from business rules frameworks applied to ISS (351). It can beappreciated that the information sophistication level can increase toprovide the following processes: content consumption measurement 158;adaptive content and navigation; predictive modeling 160; segmentation;and behavioral personalization.

Billing Segment (BIS)

Referring to FIG. 11, a billing segment (BIS) (171) can be employed todefine the billing and payment architecture for products and servicesprovided by the invention. The BIS (171) can be associated with theTIR's and channel partners (e.g., e-Ticket TIR). Billable activity canalso be captured within the distribution segment (DIS) (190) then routedto BIS (171) and CR5 (91) (for updating partner detail records andconsumer detail records.

In one aspect of the invention, BIS (171) includes, for example, thefollowing functionality: rules-based messaging to tailor invoicing forspecific partners; e-mail based invoice presentation, with a secureuniform resource locator (URL)-link back to the invention internet sitefor invoice details; a comprehensive customer-care system for issuessuch as dispute management; an ability to implement prearranged paymentplans; and, flexible payment processing, including payment returns andpayment confirmation. It can also be appreciated that credit cardpayments can be accommodated by the invention.

In another aspect of the invention, a cost model for alerts can bedetermined based on factors such as (1) alert level, (2) number ofdelivery channels, and (3) type of delivery channel.

With regard to syndication of content, a cost model can be developed forthe invention to accommodate granular syndication requirements. Forexample, one partner may choose to syndicate the entire inventioncontent, while another partner may choose a vertical (e.g., informationrequirement) or horizontal (e.g., geographical) subset to suchsyndication. Also related to CMS (131) are the requirements associatedwith localization. For example, if a channel such as the internet siteof the invention is localized for a foreign country, currencyconsiderations are an important consideration.

In another embodiment of the invention, to satisfy these additionalrequirements, a multi-service BIS (171) considers the following: volumetiering, discounting, multi-format invoicing, billing-on-demand(including threshold, activity-based, and billing in advance), anddirect debit processing. In an alternative embodiment of the invention,the billing function can be out-sourced to a service provider.

Administration Segment (ADMS)

Referring now to FIG. 12, an administration segment (ADMS) (181) definesthe administration and reporting necessary to maintain a robust, activeset of systems and a proactive approach to determining return oninvestment (ROI) on system processes. Management of the systems of theinvention can take place internally such as by personnel, externally bythe INFS provider, and/or externally by a management service provider182.

Internally, structured reports are used to measure ROI of severalprocesses, including internet site analysis (navigation, contentconsumption, activity paths, and the like) and content acquisition ROI.Ad hoc mechanisms 184 can be used for targeted data mining and analysis.Key elements of this internal reporting mechanism are the determinationof content acquisition cost vs. content use (i.e., ROI ofdestination-specific products).

Externally, base operating system (OS)-level functionality can bemanaged by collocation INFS partner(s). This functionality includessecurity, redundancy, load balancing, and the like. By placing amanagement service provider client 186 between the invention's internetsite application services 188 and the DIS (190), one can also manageprocess, transaction, and infrastructure issues.

In addition, a plurality of metrics can be captured and analyzed.Process metrics include end-to-end transaction response times, actualtransactions: target transaction ratio, start-to-finish transactionratios for key business processes, availability or service levelagreement (SLA)-ratios of partners. Transaction metrics can includeactivity response times, including product (e.g., TIR's, EAS (201))production and distribution, session ID transaction information,performance based on volume of product creation/distribution,replication updates per unit time (including product, email, etc.).

Infrastructure metrics can include web server metrics, includingconnection rates, connected users, data transfer rates, and number ofconnections, database metrics, including database transactions, filesizes, deadlocks, memory cache hit ratios, memory optimization, userlogins, logout rate, and user connections; and, server metrics,including packet traffic, queue size, disk and memory utilization, andsession errors.

Event/Alert Segment (EAS)

Referring now to FIG. 13, an event/alert segment (EAS) (201) isresponsible for the identification, selection, management, anddistribution definition of events and alerts. The EAS (201) can supportboth manual and automated systems. The manual systems permit an Analyst,for example, to generate an Alert and forward it to the EAS (201) forprocessing. The EAS (201) can process an Alert by queuing it in priorityorder to a selection system operated by an Event Reporting Analyst.Alerts are reviewed to ensure that the system does not flood thedistribution network with low grade or otherwise relativelyinsignificant Alerts. The Analyst can modify both the Alert content andattributes (duration, region of interest, level, and the like). An Alertcan be sent back to one or more designated Analysts for review andcomment as a high priority message. Once the Event Reporting Analystreleases an Alert, the EAS (201) determines the applicable members andestablishes the distribution orders for the Alert. This information ispassed to the Distribution Segment (DIS) (190) to perform transmissionof the Alert to various distribution networks, such as by pager, e-mail,and other suitable communication avenues.

In another aspect of the invention, automated systems can be deployedthat perform keyword spotting and category analysis to identifypotential candidate content for Alert generation. Keyword spottinginvolves scanning incoming content for specific keywords or combinationof keywords using regular expression analysis defined in a KeywordDictionary. Examples of such keywords for Alert reporting are“hurricane”, “strike”, and the like. Other keywords would includespecific names of countries, airlines, and the like.

Once keywords are identified, Category Analysis is used to determine whoshould review the content. For example, a message with “France”,“United” and “strike” could be automatically routed to the European DeskAnalyst and the Transportation Domain Expert as “high priority” contentfor review.

The method and system of the invention addresses the need to providemultiple Event Reporting Analysts as a role. This role can be passedfrom shift to shift, and there can be multiple Event Reporting Analystsoperating concurrently. If there are multiple Event Reporting Analystsoperating, the system can maintain a single, global work queue butresist multiple Event Reporting Analysts from working the same Alertsimultaneously.

An important aspect of this embodiment of the invention is the abilityto identify, review and select events for Alert reporting. Alerts canhave, for example, three (3) levels of significance. A Level 1-HighPriority/Critical Alert could be considered one that can directly impactthe health, safety, or schedule of the traveler. Examples of Level 1Alerts could include weather alerts, flight delays and cancellations,actual strike actions, and the like. A Level 2-Medium Priority/WarningAlert relates to information that may have an impact on the health,safety or schedule of the traveler. Examples of Level 2 Alerts includeimminent weather conditions, strike advisories, social unrest, airportfacility issues, and the like. A Level 3-Low Priority/InformationalAlert is related to information that the traveler should be aware ofabout his/her trip. Examples of Level 3 Alerts can include major eventsbeing held at a given destination, financial situations such as moneyvaluation issues, visits of a major head of state, and the like.

In another aspect of the invention, the EAS (201) technology is a subsetof ISS (351) technology (discussed hereinafter).

E-commerce Segment (ECS)

Referring now to the figures, an e-commerce segment (ECS) of theinvention provides the consumer with the opportunity to purchase travelassociated products, that can be appropriately matched with theconsumer's travel itinerary and profile. The ECS can be implemented asconventional hyperlinks at the end of a TIR: these links can be genericand/or targeted to the consumer based on predetermined criteria (e.g.,season, destination country). These links are preferably only linked tothe source provider for the product.

In another aspect of the invention, targeted contextual e-commerce canalso be implemented on the TIR. This contextual e-commerce can be memberprofile-specific and combined with trip specifics to recommendparticular products to the consumer. The consumer can then be linked andtransacted through specific channels of the internet site for theinvention. It can be appreciated that, instead of dedicated e-commerceplatforms being incorporated to implement this type of e-commerce,content agents from CAAS (71) can be used, along with the BIS (171), toachieve this level of e-commerce. This contextual e-commerce can becombined with the internet site of the invention, such as on thepersonalized “My” internet site section. In addition, the internet siteof the invention can employ order fulfillment as a function and servicefor the consumer.

Customer Relationship Management Segment (CRMS)

A customer relationship management segment (CRMS) (221) of the inventionrelates to interaction among consumers, site users, and internet sitecustomer service. The CRMS (221) provides a forum in which site userscan correspond with a central point of contact (POC) for providingcomments and suggestions on products and services provided by theinternet site. This feedback can be provided by conventional e-maillinks and toll-free telephone numbers, for example.

The CRMS (221) is a virtual contact center, with workflow, routing,queuing, automated e-mail return, single-click email response, and thelike. Incoming requests can be automatically comprehended and classifiedusing message content. A response can be automatically composed with anappropriate reply and data can be retrieved to complete and personalizethe response. Responses can then be either automatically sent or routedto a review agent or agents who can then send them to the consumer afterexamination.

In another aspect of the invention, a web-based self-service solutioncan be implemented that recreates the experience of working with anexpert customer service representative.

In addition, an online community can be established by developingdiscussion forums and a comprehensive knowledge base. In connection withthis knowledge base development is a process whereby content suggestionsare automatically routed to SME's for analysis and inclusion in thecontent store.

In another aspect of the invention, CRMS can also include targetedfeedback campaigns and e-mail solicitations. The CRMS can be integratedwith the ADMS (181) (for metrics relating to customer activity,retention, and referrals), the MPS (151) (to provide customer-providedinput and behaviors for personalization), the MOIS (261) (forestablishing additional marketing opportunities), the BIS (171) (forbilling customer care), and the PRMS (241) (to share technologies andprocesses). Live person type support can also be out-sourced after apredetermined number of inquiries are noted.

Partner Relationship Management Segment (PRMS)

Referring now to FIG. 16, in the invention, a partner relationshipmanagement segment (PRMS) (241) can encompass both partner lifecyclemanagement and extended enterprise selling. The PRMS (241) can becentered on CHAMPS (Channel and Alliance Management Process) 242 and canconcentrate on two areas. Initially, partner lifecycle management can beimplemented. This can include partner profiling, partner recruitment,and partner performance monitoring. Integration with MOIS (261) and ADMS(181) is important to implementing this segment.

Enterprise selling can also be addressed. This can include leadassignment, lead distribution and tracking, pricing/quoting, andliterature fulfillment. Integration with BIS (171), MOIS (261), and ADMS(181) can be required, as billing customer care and consistentforecasting and reporting can be used:

-   -   Lead Assignment—Assigning qualified leads to the right partners        at the right time is an important task. Managers can graphically        enter business rules for building “decision trees” that decide        which partner is assigned each lead. Rule options can include,        for example, named accounts, score and qualification-based        assignment, and checking to see if a partner is working on        another lead in the same account. Multiple lead decision trees        for different business models can be supported, as well as        optional manual assignment, and lead posting to a pool of        partners.    -   Partner Profiling—Information contained in the partner profile        database can enable distributed management of users, customized        content, push delivery, and online partner recruitment. This        database can store profiles for both individual partners and        partner organizations. An organizational profile can include        information such as industry focus, location, organizational        structure, product authorized to sell and accounts serviced.        Individual profiles cover, for example, contact information,        certification level, and previous performance.    -   Channel Partner Recruitment—A challenge for channel managers is        the need to recruit qualified channel partners. Channel partner        recruitment provides a set of tools to facilitate this        recruitment process. Channel managers are able to modify their        partner qualification criteria according to the existing partner        profiles as well as the current organization needs. Potential        partners can be tracked through the recruitment process and        analysis can be conducted to determine the optimal way to        attract the maximum number of qualifying partners.    -   Channel Communication—Channel communication can be based on two        libraries: a distribution list library and a campaign template        library. The distribution lists can be created from the partner        database and are able to be filtered by type of partner, level        of partner, or other criteria. Lists can be saved (either as a        description or as a list of actual partners) and used for future        campaigns. The campaign library can allow the marketing user to        create new items, such as product announcements or event        reminders, based on standard designs. Once the literature is        created, the system can then distribute the item to the desired        distribution list. Recipients' profiles can be automatically        updated to note the information received, and the system        monitors and reports on responses.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, PRMS (241) activity canbe coordinated with suitable marketing or sales out-sourcing partners.

Distribution Segment (DIS)

Referring now to the figures, the distribution segment (DIS) (190) isresponsible for taking a distribution order and executing it. ADistribution Order can include the item to distribute (i.e., Alert, TIR,etc.) and where to distribute it (i.e., list of e-mail addresses, pagernumbers, etc.). The DIS (190) can parse the distribution order andforward it in portions to various distribution systems. Thesedistribution systems can include e-mail, pager, facsimile, wireless, andthe like.

The DIS (190) provides advantages with regard to error handling. If atransmission fails, for example, the invention provides a way to linkthis information back to the consumer's profile with an explanation ofwhy there was an error. For example, status=XMIT ERROR, “invalid e-mailaddress: paul@ijet.com”.

In another aspect of the invention, the DIS (190) can include aninteractive voice response (IVR) capability. Using an IVR System, forexample, a member can dial a telephone number (800, 900 or direct) andenter his/her member number and personal ID number (PIN) security codeto gain access to his/her account. Using the IVR System and a series ofselection options, the member can retrieve Alerts, TIR updates, etc. Forexample, “Press 1 for Alerts”, “Press 2 for a TIR Update”; “Press 3 forOptions”, “Press 4 for a Person”, etc. If the member presses “1”, thesystem can move to a second level, dynamic menu of options based on theactive Alerts for the member. The Alerts can be listed in priority orderwith unread Alerts prioritized first. The system can, for example, listthe Alerts “Press 1 Air Canada Strike”, “Press 2 Snow Storm HitsMontreal”, and the like. The member can select an entry at any timewithout listening to the entire list. By entering a selection, thesystem can read the selected entry. The member can select Back, Next,Pause, or Replay at any time while the message is being played.

Marketing Opportunity Identification Segment (MOIS)

Referring now to FIG. 18, a marketing opportunity identification segment(MOIS) (261) of the invention shares the technology base of the CIS (51)and conducts the initial and ongoing identification of sites thatpresent marketing and partner opportunities. In one embodiment, once abase set of marketing opportunities has been established, an automatedrobot process can identify additional potential opportunities on aperiodic basis. The robot process can be monitored and reviewed bymarketing personnel on a periodic basis, and the criteria which drivesthese robots can be periodically validated.

This robot process can return identified opportunity lists. Refinementscan be added by applying marketing-developed context to returned text.With this marketing-developed context, a high-level classification ofthe sites returned can be developed. The granularity of robot returnscan be fairly coarse initially, and more finely grained asidentification techniques are honed. Likewise, the levels ofclassification of robot returns can be fairly limited or have additionallevels added.

In another aspect of the invention, multiple levels of robot activitycan be implemented. A blanket robot can be employed, for example, thatsearches the internet for the word “travel,” then discards duplicatehits or hits outside of <Title> or <meta> tags on internet sites thatare searched. Another robot process can be utilized that looks forspecific occurrences of the word “travel” in conjunction with otherwords (e.g., “booking”) in specific structural elements of a searchedsite (e.g., only if both words occur in both the <title> tag and in<metaname=keywords> tag). Such robot processes can also be applied tonon-HTML sources, can provide mechanisms for natural language queries,and can automatically route hit returns to marketing personnel orout-sourced marketing/sales organizations affiliated with the internetsite of the invention.

In an another embodiment, MOIS (261) information can be funneled toout-sourced sales and marketing resources and/or the PRMS (241).

Yellow Book Online Segment (YBOS)

Referring now to FIG. 19, in another aspect of the invention, the yellowbook online (YBO) (281) can be provided as a segment including anelectronic version of the CDC's Health Information for InternationalTravelers. The YBO (281) can be a verbatim translation of the printversion, with a full-text search and retrieval mechanism. In anotherembodiment, the YBO content can be syndicated to other internet sitesvia the use of a direct search link to the YBO (281) on the internetsite or through a content window displayed directly from the internetsite.

In another aspect of the invention, further employment of the YBO (281)can include enhanced input conditions for a search (e.g., full-textsearch only on a specific country) and enhanced output (e.g., optionalsummaries of page “hits”). The Yellow Book Online will provide the corehealth information for the system.

Web Segnent (WEBS)

Referring now to FIG. 20, a web segment (WEBS) (301) of the invention asshown represents the situation where the internet site is a distributionchannel for its content, products and services.

Technology Infrastructure Segment (INFS)

Referring now to FIG. 21, in another aspect of the invention, aninfrastructure segment (INFS) (321) is provided that includes anoperations center and a staging center along with a collocated site in,for example, the United States, Europe, Africa and other suitableinternational locations. In this embodiment, the primary informationactivity occurs at an internet site headquarters 322 with an operationscenter 324. This information activity can then be staged to a stagingcenter 326, and then replicated to one or more of the collocated sites328,330,332.

In another aspect of the invention, an archive center 334 can be createdat the internet site headquarters. This archive center 334 can store alltravel information activity, including historical, administrative, andmetric data. This archive center 334 can also be integrated with the ISS(351) so that business information mining and new product creation canbe supported.

It can be appreciated that these collocation services can be top-tier,including caching network operations and RAIS (redundant array ofindependent systems) in a load-balanced environment. Services caninclude, but are not limited to, the following:

-   -   Bandwidth Services    -   Multi-line local area network (LAN) Connection    -   Reporting Services    -   Proactive, Multi-Channel Notification    -   Bandwidth Reports    -   Network Caching    -   Managed Monitoring Services        -   Network Monitoring        -   URL Monitoring        -   Reboot Service    -   Multi-path Services    -   Data Vault Services    -   Security Services        -   Intrusion Detection        -   Vulnerability Analysis        -   Managed Firewall

Information System Segment (ISS)

In one embodiment of the invention, an information system segment (ISS)(351) has three functional subsystems: Collection, Analysis, andDistribution/Storage.

In the invention, the Collection subsystem centers on an analyst or SMEwho has domain or geographic expertise. Standard content feeds forhis/her domain are substantially continuously being examined, as isexisting content in the CRS (91). In addition, more focused content iscaptured by ad hoc queries through both the CIS (51) and the CAAS (71).These queries can be run through a machine translator prior to contentacquisition if specialized, foreign language content resources arepresented as information sources. In addition, based on return setcontent, machine translators can also be used prior to CRS (91) storage.Analysts/SME's can also use an RSS Aggregation Module. This module canallow each analyst/SME to develop his/her own, personalized set ofheadline content that can be scanned on a regular basis.

The CRS (91), outside of its standard data structure, has pre-appliedtemplates that ensure the validity of information returned inanalyst/SME queries. These templates are in the form of rules frameworksthat are defined by partners such as a Health Information Board (HIB).The Collection subsystem relies on the interfaces between CRMS, PRMS(241), and MPS: Partner and Member activity history and itineraryinformation can contribute greatly as a background to informationactivity. Also key to the Collection subsystem is a collaborationnetwork that the analyst/SME participates in with other analysts/SME's.Using the collaboration network, queries and return sets can be analyzedby more than one analyst/SME to ensure validity.

In the invention, the Analysis subsystem operates with a marshaled queryon information returned by the Collection subsystem. Such queries can bedone, for example, by using meta data searches, with On-Line AnalyticalProcessing (OLAP) tools, or using conventional pattern recognitiontechnologies. Return sets from these initial analysis queries arefiltered through two pipes: a filter pipe and an index pipe. The filterpipe applies semantics to incoming signals based on meta data associatedwith them. If this approach is unsuccessful, semantic application can beattempted based on content. Feature extraction can next be performed toensure that any semantic application considers multi-semantic issues.The index pipe attempts to index incoming signals based on keywords,thematics, and hierarchical clustering.

At least two key elements are associated with the filter and indexpipes. The first is operational qualification agents. These agentscapture specific, pre-determined linguistic patterns and can beevent-based or schedule-based. Once an operational qualification agentcaptures a signal, the signal is classified and moves on through thesystem without proceeding through additional filtering and indexing.

Both the filter and index pipes are dynamic mechanisms, which are notonly modified manually, but “learn” through the application of ananalysis engine. This analysis engine is a network of adaptive fuzzyfeature modules (AFFN's) that collectively comprise an adaptive temporalcorrelation network (ATCN). AFFN 's and ATCN's provide managedartificial information and capture patterns and correlations betweenlinguistic elements that are either too time-intensive for humans tocapture or practically impossible without computational assistance.

Once a signal has morphed into an information block (i.e., it has someclassification associated with it), the block itself can be consideredinformation or, in the case of misclassification, remain informationwithout attached semantics. At this point, the analyst/SME eithervalidates the information or adds semantics to the information. This canbe done through using the information block as input to additionalmechanisms in the Collection subsystem, or using the collaborationnetwork and additional analysts/SME's to reach a consensus.

In the invention, aggregated information is classified again assupplemental content or as an alert. If it is classified as supplementalcontent, the aggregated information is forwarded to the CMS (131), wherethe content manager filters it through an editorial process. At thispoint, the supplemental content can be discarded, accepted as is andsent to the CRS (91), or sent back to the analyst/SME for additionalanalysis. If the aggregated information is classified as an alert, it issent to an alert framework, along with its meta data. Additional metadata is assigned (e.g., data/time, GIST, alert type) and thenconcomitantly sent to CRS (91) and distribution list development.

In summary, the method and system of the present invention offer atravel information functional architecture that defines and supportsgathering, analysis, storage, and personalized product/service deliveryof accurate, comprehensive, and personalized travel information. Themethod and system of the invention provide a breadth and richness ofinformation sources and acquisition, sophistication of externaloversight, advisement, and business rule development processes appliedto travel information development, diversity of product and deliverymechanisms, and a, comprehensive application of supporting business andtechnology architecture. The result is an online intelligence agencythat both feeds into and is driven by the global airline reservationsystem.

The following example is intended to be an illustration of certainembodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention:

An Example of the Travel Information System

The travel information system operates in three distinct phases.

In phase one, information is collected from online sources and analyzedby regional analysts. These analysts screen the information, iron outdiscrepancies, edit and format the information, and send it to the datastore.

In phase two, a traveler enters the system through one of manydistribution points in the travel industry. An example would be atraveler who decides to purchase a Travel Intelligence Report (TIR)while purchasing an airline ticket from a travel web site. Afterpurchasing the ticket, the traveler is presented with an online profileform, which is already populated with the traveler's client record ande-ticket information, forming the core profile; he can either acceptthis profile with a single click, or supplement it with moreinformation. In either case this profile form is transmitted online tothe internet site, where it triggers the application of appropriaterules, and the retrieval of pertinent content from the data store.

In the third phase, this content is then assembled into a TIR anddelivered to the traveler. The traveler can then print and/or downloadthe TIR. At any point up to 30 days after his return the traveler canalso pull up the report online and view the latest version. If anysignificant changes occur to the underlying information, the reporte-mails the traveler. In addition, if the traveler has purchased aseparate wireless alert product, the traveler can be notified on hiswireless platform.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration, it can be evident to those skilledin the art that numerous variations of the details of the presentinvention may be made without departing from the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

1. A method for providing travel-related information to a consumerhaving a consumer-specific profile, comprising: a. acquiring informationfrom at least one information source; b. transforming said acquiredinformation into information pertinent to travel related activities; c.using rules for applying said transformed travel information to saidconsumer-specific travel profile; d. performing identification ofpotential said information sources using a content identificationsegment (CIS); and creating a product for said consumer indicative ofthe results of said application of said transformed travel informationto said consumer-specific travel profile.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said acquiring includes partnering with an external internetsite for providing said at least one information source.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein said transforming further includes a step selectedfrom the group consisting of processing acquired data through a healthinformation board, performing an advisement function, and developingbusiness rules.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transformingincludes applying medical information and epidemiology findings fromclinic networks to provide at least a portion of said transformed travelinformation.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating includescreating a travel report for said consumer.
 6. The method of claim 1,further including identifying alert information related to a traveldestination of said consumer.
 7. The method of claim 6, furtherincluding distributing said alert information to said consumer.
 8. Themethod of claim 5, wherein if alert information occurs and is includedin said report, further including distributing said alert information insaid report to said consumer.
 9. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding delivering a product to said consumer indicative of saidtransformed travel data.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein saiddelivering is performed using a distribution channel selected from thegroup consisting of the internet, wireless communication media, andphysical delivery locations. 11-22. (canceled)
 23. An information systemsegment structured for use in a system for providing travel relatedinformation to a consumer having a consumer-specific profile,comprising: a. a collection subsystem for obtaining information from atleast one data source; b. an analysis subsystem for filtering saidobtained information to identify travel characteristics of said obtainedinformation; and, c. a distribution/storage subsystem for directing saidfiltered data to at least one portion of said system for providingtravel related information, said distribution/storage subsystem having acomponent for classifying said filtered data as supplemental content oras an alert.
 24. The segment of claim 23, wherein said collectionsubsystem includes means for applying queries to obtain saidinformation.
 25. The segment of claim 23, wherein said analysissubsystem includes a filter pipe and an index pipe. 26-32. (canceled)33. A method for providing travel-related information to a user having aprofile, comprising: a. acquiring information from at least oneinformation source; b. transforming said acquired information intoinformation pertinent to travel related activities; c. using rules forapplying said transformed travel information to said profile; and, d.performing identification of potential said information sources using acontent identification segment (CIS); and e. creating a product for saiduser indicative of the results of said application of said transformedtravel information to said profile.
 34. The method of claim 33, whereinsaid information is received from an external network.
 35. The method ofclaim 33, wherein said transforming includes one selected from the groupconsisting of processing acquired data through a health informationboard, performing an advisement function, and developing business rules.36. The method of claim 33, wherein said transforming further includesapplying medical information and epidemiology findings from clinicnetworks to provide at least a portion of said transformed travelinformation.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein said creating includescreating a travel report for the user.
 38. The method of claim 33,further including identifying alert information related to a traveldestination of the user.
 39. The method of claim 38, further includingdistributing said alert information to the user.
 40. The method of claim37, wherein if alert information occurs and is included in said report,further including distributing said alert information in said report tothe user.
 41. The method of claim 33, further including delivering aproduct to the user indicative of said transformed travel data.
 42. Themethod of claim 40, wherein said delivering is performed using adistribution channel selected from the group consisting of the internet,wireless communication media, and physical delivery locations.
 43. Asystem for providing travel related information to a user having aprofile, comprising: a. a content acquisition/aggregation segmentconfigured to acquire information from at least one information source;b. an information transformation layer configured to transform theacquired information into information pertinent to travel relatedactivities; c. an information development/application layer configuredto apply said transformed travel information to said profile; d. aproduct/service creation layer configured to create a product for saiduser indicative of the results of said application of said transformedtravel information to said profile; and e. a content identificationsegment (CIS) configured to identify potential said information sources.44. The system of claim 43, wherein the content acquisition/aggregationsegment is further configured to acquire and identify the content ofsaid acquired information with regard to a specific domain of saidacquired information.
 45. The system of claim 43, further including arules engine for applying rules to the profile.
 46. The system of claim43, further including a travel information report segment configured togenerate a report indicative of said results of said application of saidtransformed travel information to said profile.
 47. The system of claim46, wherein said travel information report comprises a pre-Tripinformation section, a destination information section, a general advicesection, and a products/services section.
 48. The system of claim 47,wherein each of said sections contains travel information customized forthe user including data selected from the group consisting of the user'spersonal profile, a destination, and a season of travel.
 49. The systemof claim 46, wherein said report is generated in at least one electronicformat.
 50. The system of claim 46, wherein said report includes a triprating indicative of the risk of the trip represented by said travelrelated information.
 51. The system of claim 46, further including anevent/alert segment configured to manage the receipt of at least oneevent corresponding to the definition of at least one alert to the user.52. The system of claim 51, further including distributing said definedalert.
 53. The system of claim 51, wherein the event/alert segment isfurther configured to apply keyword analysis to incoming content.